Mary Hanna

Mary Margaret Melson, daughter of Randall and Fern Beers Melson, was born October 17, 1913 in Garfield Township, Pocahontas County and grew up on Highland Farm outside of Bradgate. She graduated from Rolfe High School in 1930 and Morningside College in 1934. During her school years she spent her summers working as a waitress in Estes Park, CO and was secretary to the Dean of Women at Morningside College. Mary taught English and Latin at Milford for 3 years and was principal of Ankeny High School for one year. In August of 1938, she married John A. Hanna. They moved to Webster City in 1941 where John farmed in Liberty and Blairsburg Townships. While in Webster City, Mary taught high school English at Blairsburg from 1957-1959 and American Literature at Webster City High School from 1960-1964. After the death of her husband on October 28, 1963, she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, receiving her Masters of Library Science degree in 1966. She was Director of Kendall Young Library from 1966-1979 She served on the Hamilton County Board of Education and on the Webster City Community School Board for two terms. With continuing interest in education, she spent two winter terms as a volunteer librarian at Rust College, Holly Springs, MS. In later years, she volunteered as a teacher in the Adult Literacy Program sponsored by the Iowa Central Community College. Mary was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Quill Club, League of Woman Voters, Travel Club and J.E. chapter of P.E.O. She enjoyed traveling, Iowa history and writing. In 2000, she moved to the Des Moines area to be near her family. Mary is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Joan Hanna of Urbandale; daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Gary Snell of Urbandale; sister, Barbara Olerich of Rolfe; grandchildren, Cynthia (Efren) Santos of Marina Del Rey, CA; Diana (Tim) Hawkins of Ankeny; great-grandchildren, Blaine and Ella Hawkins and Amelia Santos. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Cynthia Anne Hanna; her parents; brothers, Robert and Richard Melson; sister, Elizabeth White.